Words By Dino Perone.
The Lexus ES enters a new chapter with its first all-electric model, the ES 350e. We recently joined the first drive of the new Lexus ES range, which also includes the ES 500e and ES 350h Hybrid. Now, the attention turns to the ES 350e, bringing the familiar comfort and refinement of the ES into an all-electric setting.
Unchanged for 2027, the ES 350e makes a quiet statement in the luxury electric sedan category. The cabin is clean and contemporary, with a 12.3-inch driver display and a generous central touchscreen integrated into the dashboard. The latest Lexus safety and driver-assistance features are also included, with an emphasis less on technology for its own sake and more on making the experience feel effortless.
Our test car was fitted with the optional Executive package, available exclusively on the ES 350e Luxury trim. It brings an especially generous level of comfort to the rear seats, with power adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage functions, along with an ottoman for the passenger-side rear seat. It’s an arrangement that makes a convincing case for spending a little more time in the back.
Every ES comes standard with 19-inch aluminum wheels, while the ES 350e can be specified with multi-spoke 21-inch wheels. The ES 500e offers its own aerodynamic 21-inch design. New Wavelength and Copper Crest paint finishes join a palette that includes Caviar, Ultra White, Cloudburst Gray and Iridium.
Inside, Lexus has taken a more minimalist approach without losing the warmth and material quality expected of the marque. Premium models feature NuLuxe-trimmed seating, embossed door-panel details and subtle geometric-pattern dashboard trim. The Luxury trim takes things further with semi-aniline leather and a particularly appealing use of bamboo. Its layered, LED-backlit treatment extends across the door panels, with matching wood trim on the center console, adding texture and a welcome natural element to the otherwise restrained interior.
The dashboard is thoughtfully arranged, with a horizontal design that keeps the cabin feeling open and uncluttered. A new steering wheel, with LEXUS spelled out in the brand’s latest typeface, introduces a contemporary detail, while a simple toggle-style gear selector and carefully integrated controls maintain the clean aesthetic. Ambient lighting adds another layer to the interior, particularly in the Luxury models.
Connectivity and entertainment are well covered, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a choice of two sound systems. Premium models receive a 10-speaker Lexus system, while Luxury trims offer a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound System. The latter seems particularly appropriate for a car designed around the pleasures of a quieter drive.
Outside, the ES has a distinctly different face. The traditional spindle grille gives way to a smoother, largely closed front end, with a subtle geometric pattern and integrated cooling elements. Double L-shaped daytime running lights sit above the indicators, while the fastback-like roofline gives the sedan a more fluid silhouette. The overall effect is contemporary without straying too far from the understated elegance that has long defined the ES.
The ES 350e doesn’t attempt to reinvent the luxury sedan. Instead, it takes a familiar Lexus formula and gives it a new direction, with an emphasis on comfort, thoughtful materials, and a more considered approach to electric luxury. Let’s Build One.
